Motivational Monday: Nurturing Families

I returned home this weekend from visiting my family back home. I had a wonderful time and was sad to see the week end. However, I am excited to be back and look forward to some fun posts this month! I would like to thank all of you who voted for this site in the May spotlight on MMB. I also would like to welcome the new readers who have joined us here. Welcome!

As I mentioned last week, I had the opportunity to go Women's Conference at BYU. I really enjoyed the session on nurturing family by Sister Julie Beck. I firmly believe that a strong family unit is the key to a successful society.

We live in a time where families are less valued. "I" and "me" are valued. People aren't as interested in raising a family today. They are more interested in careers, money, and personal pursuits. Many people opt for a dog instead of children. We are surrounded by anti-family teachings in the media. Sister Beck said that those whose teachings are anti-family are anti-Christs.

We live in a day where we are surrounded by wickedness. Pornography is all around us and viewed as okay and even normal to view. It is viewed as okay to live with a boyfriend or girlfriend without the commitment of marriage. Marriage isn't viewed as neccessary. This list could go on and on. Satan is working hard on women. She talked about how in the scriptures, it says Nehor led away "many women."

Are we going to give in and let the Satan win? No! We must fight! In Ephesians 6 it talks about today saying, "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spritual wickedness in high places." It goes on to say that we need to, "[take] the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."

First, we need to have faith in the family unit. Sister Beck stated the three pillars of the theology of the family are The Creation, The Fall, and The Atonement. The foundations of family were set-up before this world was created. Families were part of God's plan for us here on Earth. Eve chose to bring children into this world by partaking of the fruit. If she and Adam hadn't eaten the fruit they wouldn't have been able to "multiply and replenish the earth." And of course, through the Atonement we are able to repent of our sins. If we live righteously and repent, we can live with our families for all eternity. What a blessing!

To shield our families from the "fiery darts" we need to plan goals for our families. How do you picture your children when they are raised? What steps do you need to do to get them there? If we want them to be spiritually strong, we need to do things such as daily family prayer, weekly family night (don't schedule activities on Monday nights), scripture study, church attendance, service projects, etc.

Nothing is impossible with the Lord's help. We can nurture our families even with the wickedness that surrounds us. He will help us if we put in the effort and have faith! For Sister Beck's full talk, check back mid-summer for the transcripts at this site.